How to Immigrate to Canada Even with Low CRS Scores?

Are you dreaming of settling in Canada but worried about Low CRS scores? There are plenty of pathways to achieve your goal!

While the federal Express Entry system often favours candidates with high CRS scores, Canada's immigration system offers multiple programs that fit your profile!

Whether you are considering moving to a specific province, have family in Canada, or are exploring pilot programs, let's explore the options available and help you find the best route to Canadian permanent residency!

What are the pathways to choose if you have low CRS scores?

You may consider the following programs if you have a Low CRS score and are trying to obtain a PR in Canada:

1. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
2. The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
3. Family Sponsorship
4. Immigration Pilots

Each option has specific eligibility criteria and processes; let us explore them in detail.

What are Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)?

Provincial Nominee Programs( PNPs) are immigration pathways that enable Canadian provinces and territories to select immigrants based on their specific labour market needs.

Every province has its own criteria and requirements, reflecting its unique economic and demographic landscape. All provinces and territories in Canada operate PNPs, providing various options for prospective immigrants. However, Nunavut and Quebec have different requirements, and they focus on the skills and experience of the skilled workers who can contribute to their local economies.

The 2 main types of PNPs

Applicants must be aware of two main types of PNPs:

1. Base PNPs: Candidates must apply directly to the province. If successful, applicants receive a certificate of nomination that they can use to apply to IRCC for permanent residency.

2. Enhanced PNPs: Candidates who qualify for an enhanced PNP can receive an additional 600 CRS points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. These programs are integrated with the federal Express Entry system.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for any PNP, applicants must demonstrate a genuine intent to reside in the province or territory they are applying to. They must also meet the specific criteria of that province's PNP stream.

Some of the factors include:

1. Age
2. Educational qualifications
3. Skills
4. work experience relevant to the province's job market
5. Language proficiency
6. A valid job offer from an employer in the province (for some streams)
7. Licensing / Certifications (if applicable)

There are over 80 different streams across various provinces, so applicants must research and identify which streams best align with their needs.

Application Process for PNP Streams

• Direct Application

For some PNP streams, you can apply directly at any time. You may submit a complete application; if successful, you will receive a provincial nomination. Many of these streams require you to have a job offer in the respective province or territory.

• Invitation-Based Application

Some PNP streams mandate candidates to receive an invitation from the province before applying.

These can be categorized into two main types:

• Active Streams

Candidates must take initial steps, such as creating an account in the province's online system and submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) or Letter of Interest (LOI).

The province will review each submission and rank your profile, giving you some points. The PNP will conduct periodic draws and issue EOI or LOI to top-ranking candidates.

• Passive Streams

In this case, candidates do not need to take special actions. Instead, these streams integrate with the federal Express Entry system. The province reviews all active Express Entry profiles that meet their criteria and selects candidates. The notified candidates can then apply for nomination to the PNP.

The application process can vary depending on the specific PNP stream chosen. Generally, applicants can follow these steps:

• Check Eligibility: Check for the requirements of the PNP with your qualifications.
• Apply for Nomination: Apply directly to the province or through the Express Entry system.
• Receive Nomination: If nominated, you must update your Express Entry profile to reflect your nomination.
• Apply for Permanent Residency: Once you receive an ITA from IRCC, you can submit your application for permanent residency.

About the Atlantic Immigration Program

The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to settle in one of Canada's Atlantic provinces

1. New Brunswick
2. Newfoundland and Labrador
3. Nova Scotia
4. Prince Edward Island (PEI).

AIP aims to attract skilled workers and their families to obtain permanent residency by providing a streamlined process.

If you have a valid job offer from a designated employer in one of Canada's Atlantic provinces, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the AIP.

In addition to applying for permanent residency, you might also qualify for a temporary work permit while your application is being processed. You may start working and settling in Canada as you await your permanent residency status.

About Family Sponsorship

Through the Family sponsorship program, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can bring their family members to Canada as permanent residents.

The program has two main features:

1. Sponsors can bring their family members, and the sponsored family members can live, work, and study in Canada.
2. Sponsors must commit to financially supporting their sponsored relatives by providing for their basic needs, such as food and housing, ensuring they do not require government assistance.

What are the eligibility criteria for becoming a sponsor?

To be eligible as a sponsor, individuals must meet specific requirements:

• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Not be receiving social assistance (except for disability).
• Must provide sufficient income to support the sponsored individual

Whom Can I Sponsor?

Under the Family Sponsorship program, you may sponsor the following:

• Spouses and Common-law Partners: A legal marriage or a conjugal relationship of at least one year is required.
• Dependent Children: Children under 22 who are unmarried or in a common-law relationship; older children may qualify if they are financially dependent due to physical or mental conditions.
• Parents and Grandparents: Sponsorship through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP), which operates on a lottery basis with limited annual intake.
• Other Relatives: In rare cases, orphaned siblings or other relatives may be sponsored under specific conditions.
  Legally Adopted Member: If you have legally adopted them and they meet the definition of a dependent child.

Who is included in the Family Unit?

You must meet specific income requirements to sponsor a family member in Canada. These requirements are based on the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO) and vary depending on the size of your family unit.

The family unit includes:

1. yourself
2. your spouse or partner
3. dependent children,
4. any individuals you plan to sponsor.

When you sponsor a family member to Canada, you must sign a Sponsorship Agreement. You are thereby committing to take care of their basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and health expenses not covered by public health services.

You must meet the Low Income Cut-off (LICO) for some types of sponsorships. This applies if:

1. You are sponsoring a spouse or partner with a dependent child, and that child has their children.
2. You are sponsoring a dependent child who has their own dependent children.
3. You are sponsoring a parent or grandparent.

If you live in Quebec, you must meet Quebec's specific income rules, and the province's immigration ministry will review your financial situation.

What is a Sponsorship Undertaking?

As a sponsor, you have to sign an undertaking, a legal promise to support the sponsored person financially. If they need government assistance during this time, you must pay it back.

The duration of this responsibility depends on the relationship:

1. Spouse or partner: 3 years
2. Dependent child: 10 years or until they turn 25
3. Parent or grandparent: 20 years
4. Other relatives: 10 years

The undertaking lasts for a specific period based on the family member you are sponsoring. It will not be cancelled, even if your situation changes. This includes cases where the person you are sponsoring becomes a Canadian citizen, if you get divorced or separated, or if you face financial problems.

In Quebec, the length of the sponsorship undertaking depends on who you are sponsoring and their age.

How Can I Apply for Family Sponsorship in Canada?

• Ensure you meet sponsorship requirements.
• Confirm your relative qualifies to meet the necessary criteria for sponsorship.
• Submit sponsorship and PR applications together (Apply to IRCC, and if in Quebec, apply to MIFI).
• Pay the required family sponsorship application fee.
• Send your application to the address listed in the government sponsorship guide.

Spousal or Common-Law Partner Sponsorship

As a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can sponsor your spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner.

To be eligible as a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate that you can provide for both yourself and your partner's basic needs. You also need to prove that your relationship is genuine through supporting documents.

There are two application ways of spousal or common-law sponsorship:

• Inland Application: This is apt for partners in Canada. It allows them to live in Canada while their application is processed. During this time, they may also apply for an open work permit.
• Outland Application: This is for partners living outside Canada. They will wait for their permanent residence application to be processed while residing abroad but can visit Canada.

Sponsoring Dependent Child

You can sponsor your dependent children, whether biological or adopted. A dependent child is defined as someone who is unmarried/ not in a common-law relationship and is under 22 years old.

If they are over 22, they may still qualify if they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from supporting themselves.

To sponsor a child, 

• You must provide proof of your relationship through a birth or adoption certificate.
• IRCC must approve your child abroad to issue them a visa.

Sponsoring Parents and Grandparents

The Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to bring their parents or grandparents to Canada. However, applying for PR under this program is not guaranteed.

The PGP reached its submission limit in 2020, and IRCC has not accepted new forms since. Invitations from 2020 to 2024 were based on the 2020 intake, making the process time-consuming and challenging.

However, parents and grandparents can still visit Canada using the Super Visa program for up to five years (at a time) without needing PR status.

The program allows parents and grandparents to visit Canada on multiple-entry visas lasting up to 10 years.

To qualify, they must

• Be the parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada
• Have a letter of invitation from their child or grandchild in Canada
• Medical insurance.

About Immigration Pilots

The Canadian government offers various immigration pilots that provide pathways to permanent residence for eligible foreign nationals. Similar to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), these pilots require research or consultation with an immigration expert to determine current eligibility.

The federal pilot programs include:

• Agri-Food Pilot
• Francophone Community Immigration Class
• Rural Community Immigration Class

A new caregiver program pilot is expected to launch soon, with details yet to be announced. Immigration pilots are temporary and come with an end date; if not renewed, the pathway will cease to exist.

Successful pilots can evolve into permanent pathways to PR, such as the Atlantic Immigration Program.

If you qualify for a pilot program, it is crucial to follow the application process precisely and meet all deadlines, as missing these could eliminate your chance to apply if the program closes.

If you have low CRS scores, don't worry! ImmiLaw Global can assist you in exploring alternative migration pathways such as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), family sponsorship, or immigration pilots. Contact us today for personalized solutions and expert guidance tailored to your needs.

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